GOT COMMON SENSE?

The most recent Alzheimer's Association report estimates that there are already about 5.3 million Americans who have Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common cause of dementia. By next year, the association expects that more than 35 million will be living with dementia worldwide. And that figure is projected to double every 20 years, so that by 2030, nearly 66 million will be its victims, and a staggering 115 million by the year 2050.

God willing, a cure for these horrific diseases will be found tomorrow. But if the years pass without a remedy, how will society care for these millions of sufferers? If recent examples are any indication, we won't be using simple common sense. Consider: